UMass Minutemen ice hockey

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UMass Minutemen ice hockey
Hockey current event.svg Current season
UMass Amherst athletics logo.svg
University University of Massachusetts Amherst
Conference Hockey East
First season 1908–09; 117 years ago
Head coach Greg Carvel
10th season, 170–133–25 (.556)
Assistant coaches
  • Tom Upton
  • Nolan Gluchowski
Captain(s)Linden Alger
Alternate captain(s)Ryan Lautenbach
Lucas Mercuri
Arena Mullins Center
Amherst, Massachusetts
Student sectionThe Militia
ColorsMaroon and white [1]
   
NCAA tournament champions
2021
NCAA tournament runner-up
2019
NCAA tournament Frozen Four
2019, 2021
NCAA tournament appearances
2007, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
Conference tournament champions
ECAC 2: 1972
Hockey East: 2021, 2022
Conference regular season champions
Hockey East: 2019

The UMass Minutemen Ice Hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's college ice hockey program that represents the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Minutemen are a member of Hockey East. They play at the 8,387-seat William D. Mullins Memorial Center (known as the Mullins Center) in Amherst, Massachusetts. [2]

Contents

History

Pond history

The centrally located pond on the UMass campus was once used for multiple purposes. In the winter students and faculty would cut out blocks of ice to use for refrigeration and annual tug-of-war games between sophomores and freshmen were hosted during the spring months. In 1909 the first formal ice hockey team began playing on the pond as well. [3] UMass fielded one of the earliest non-ivy league programs, playing continually until poor weather conditions and a lack of funding caused the team to cease in 1939. The Minutemen were able to return to the ice after the war but couldn't play at home until 1954.

The lack of a home venue caused the team to suffer through a stretch where they won only 2 games over a 7-year period. Eventually the pond became usable again and UMass were able to play home games with new head coach Steve Kosakowski. The Minutemen performed decently in his 13 seasons and were among 28 teams to found ECAC Hockey. In 1964 the ECAC split into two divisions and any program that did not possess a dedicated indoor arena was placed in ECAC 2. UMass continued with the second-tier conference for 15 years and achieved their greatest success in 1972 under Jack Canniff, winning the conference tournament title.

By the end of the 1970s using the pond as a rink had become untenable and when no alternatives surfaced the program was shuttered.

Return to the Ice

When the Mullins Center opened in 1993 it was designed as a multi-purpose arena and allowed for the university to rekindle its ice hockey program. The men's team started the same year and hit the ice as a Division I independent. With 20 wins in the first season under Joe Mallen, there was hope that the Minutemen could compete in Hockey East. However, once they began a tougher schedule in 1994–95, the team lost a then-school-record 28 games. Though the team rarely finished last in the conference under Mallen, there were very few gains and he was replaced by Don Cahoon in 2000.

Under Cahoon the team began to improve, posting a winning season in 2003 and reaching the conference championship game the following year. His greatest success came after recruiting Jonathan Quick, who helped UMass to reach their first ever NCAA tournament in 2007. Cahoon couldn't keep the success going, however, and after being knocked off in five consecutive conference quarterfinals he retired in 2012.

John Micheletto was tabbed as Cahoon's successor and after a decent first season the team slid down the standing and bottomed out for two consecutive seasons. After the second last-place finish Micheletto was fired and replaced by St. Lawrence head coach Greg Carvel. [4]

Greg Carvel era (2016–present)

In Carvel's first season the team reached a nadir; the Minutemen set a new program record for futility, losing 29 games. Carvel led the team to a much-improved finish in his second season and then team took off in year three. The Minutemen reached their first ever Frozen Four and a berth in the 2019 NCAA Division I National Championship in which the Minutemen ultimately lost to Minnesota-Duluth 3–0. Though the year ended on a sour note, the team posted a new program record for wins (31) while Cale Makar won the school's first Hobey Baker Award.

On April 10, 2021, the Minutemen won their first-ever NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament, beating the St. Cloud State Huskies 5–0. [5]

Season-by-season results

Source: [6]

Records vs. current Hockey East teams

As of the completion of 2022–23 season [7]

SchoolTeamAway ArenaOverall recordWin %Last Result
Boston College Eagles Conte Forum 17–74–4.200-
Boston University Terriers Agganis Arena 14–70–8.196-
University of Connecticut Huskies Toscano Family Ice Forum 43–18–4.692-
University of Maine Black Bears Alfond Arena 28–58–10.344-
University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks Tsongas Center 36–50–9.426-
Merrimack College Warriors J. Thom Lawler Rink 51–45–8.529-
University of New Hampshire Wildcats Whittemore Center 29–93–12.261-
Northeastern University Huskies Matthews Arena 37–57–10.404-
Providence College Providence Schneider Arena 35–52–8.411-
University of Vermont Catamounts Gutterson Fieldhouse 32–44–10.430-

Coaching staff

Current as of July, 2024. [8]

2024-2025 Staff
NamePosition
Greg CarvelHead coach
Tom UptonAssistant coach
Nolan GluchowskiAssistant coach
Steve MastalerzDirector of Player Development
Hunter DiehlDirector of Hockey Operations
Marc PaquetAthletic Trainer
Mike VaughanSports Performance Coach
Josh PennHead of Equipment

All-time coaching records

As of the completion of 2024–25 season [7]

TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
1908–1917No Coach939–27–3.587
1917–1922Elton J. Mansell518–13–3.574
1922–1923Herbert Collins13–4–2.444
1923–1924Howard R. Gordon13–6–0.333
1924–1939 Lorin Ball 1547–61–7.439
1947–1949Thomas Filmore20–5–0.000
1949–1950Walter Fitzgerald12–3–2.429
1950–1951 Bill Needham 10–7–0.000
1953–1954 Mel Massucco 10–9–1.050
1954–1967Steve Kosakowski1373–118–4.385
1967–1979 Jack Canniff 12120–140–8.463
1993–2000Joe Mallen777–144–18.360
2000–2012 Don Cahoon 12166–229–42.428
2012–2016John Micheletto439–88–13.325
2016–Present Greg Carvel 9170–133–25.556
Totals14 coaches93 seasons757–987–128.439

Current roster

As of September 17, 2024. [9]

No. Nat.PlayerClassPosHeightWeightDoBHometownPrevious teamNHL rights
1 Flag of the United States.svg Jackson IrvingSophomore G 6' 0" (1.83 m)172 lb (78 kg)2004-02-03 Newbury, Massachusetts Sioux Falls Stampede  ( USHL )—
3 Flag of the United States.svg Kaz SobieskiFreshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m)181 lb (82 kg)2004-04-12 Deerfield, Massachusetts Sioux Falls Stampede  ( USHL )—
4 Flag of the United States.svg Kennedy O'ConnorJunior D 6' 2" (1.88 m)194 lb (88 kg)2001-05-10 Springfield, Massachusetts Omaha Lancers  ( USHL )—
5 Flag of the United States.svg Linden Alger ( C )Graduate D 6' 3" (1.91 m)194 lb (88 kg)2000-04-09 Centerville, Massachusetts Youngstown Phantoms  ( USHL )—
6 Flag of Sweden.svg Lucas ÖlvestadJunior D 6' 1" (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg)2002-03-19 Stockholm, Sweden Denver  ( NCHC )—
7 Flag of the United States.svg Finn LoftusFreshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m)179 lb (81 kg)2004-02-12 Blaine, Minnesota Sioux City Musketeers  ( USHL )—
8 Flag of the United States.svg Cam O'NeillSophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)183 lb (83 kg)2004-01-24 Odenton, Maryland Tri-City Storm  ( USHL ) OTT , 143rd overall  2022
9 Flag of the United States.svg Jack MusaSophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m)157 lb (71 kg)2003-07-22 Orange Park, Florida Cedar Rapids RoughRiders  ( USHL )—
10 Flag of Latvia.svg Dans Ločmelis Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)2004-01-21 Jelgava, Latvia Luleå J20  ( J20 Nationell ) BOS , 119th overall  2022
11 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lucas Mercuri ( A )Senior F 6' 3" (1.91 m)192 lb (87 kg)2002-03-07 Montreal, Quebec Des Moines Buccaneers  ( USHL ) CAR , 159th overall  2020
12 Flag of the United States.svg Cam DunnFreshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m)170 lb (77 kg)2003-10-08 Holland, Michigan Odessa Jackalopes  ( NAHL )—
13 Flag of the United States.svg Joey MusaGraduate F 5' 9" (1.75 m)160 lb (73 kg)2000-06-11 Orange Park, Florida Dartmouth  ( ECAC )—
14 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Lautenbach ( A )Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m)175 lb (79 kg)2000-02-27 Brighton, Michigan Omaha Lancers  ( USHL )—
16 Flag of Russia.svg Aydar Suniev Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)2004-11-16 Kazan, Russia Penticton Vees  ( BCHL ) CGY , 80th overall  2023
17 Flag of the United States.svg Kenny ConnorsJunior F 6' 1" (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg)2003-03-10 Glen Mills, Pennsylvania Dubuque Fighting Saints  ( USHL ) LAK , 103rd overall  2022
18 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Larry KeenanFreshman D 6' 3" (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)2005-03-15 Midhurst, Ontario Penticton Vees  ( BCHL ) DET , 117th overall  2024
19 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cole O'Hara Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m)183 lb (83 kg)2002-06-20 Richmond Hill, Ontario Tri-City Storm  ( USHL ) NSH , 114th overall  2022
20 Flag of the United States.svg James DuerrFreshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg)2004-09-01 Chicago, Illinois Green Bay Gamblers —
21 Flag of the United States.svg Charlie LiebermanFreshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m)187 lb (85 kg)2003-05-22 Naperville, Illinois Omaha Lancers  ( USHL )—
22 Flag of the United States.svg Nick Van TassellSophomore F 6' 4" (1.93 m)196 lb (89 kg)2004-04-18 Basking Ridge, New Jersey Green Bay Gamblers  ( USHL ) OTT , 215th overall  2023
23 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Francesco Dell'ElceFreshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m)181 lb (82 kg)2005-01-09 King City, Ontario Penticton Vees  ( BCHL )—
25 Flag of Slovakia.svg Daniel JenčkoFreshman F 5' 9" (1.75 m)165 lb (75 kg)2005-01-09 Humenné, Slovakia Youngstown Phantoms  ( USHL )—
26 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Owen MurrayJunior D 5' 10" (1.78 m)181 lb (82 kg)2002-12-01 Decker, Manitoba Green Bay Gamblers  ( USHL )—
27 Flag of the United States.svg Michael CameronJunior F 5' 10" (1.78 m)174 lb (79 kg)2002-07-24 Berwyn, Pennsylvania Omaha Lancers  ( USHL )—
28 Flag of the United States.svg Bo CosmanSophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m)192 lb (87 kg)2002-01-18 Milton, Georgia Minnesota Wilderness  ( NAHL )—
30 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Michael HrabalSophomore G 6' 6" (1.98 m)209 lb (95 kg)2005-01-20 Prague, Czech Republic Omaha Lancers  ( USHL ) UTA , 38th overall  2023
32 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg James NortonFreshman G 6' 4" (1.93 m)183 lb (83 kg)2003-04-16 Scarborough, Ontario Cedar Rapids RoughRiders  ( USHL )—

The Longest Game

On March 6, 2015, UMass faced Notre Dame in Game 1 of the Opening Round of the 2015 Hockey East Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, played at Compton Family Ice Arena at Notre Dame. Early into the game, Sam Herr gave Notre Dame the lead on a rebounded shot. Vince Hinostroza made it 2–0 midway through the second period. But the Minutmen responded two minutes later with a power play goal by Steven Iacobellis. Notre Dame responded three minutes later with a Steven Fogarty goal to make it 3–1. UMass made it 3–2 a minute later with a goal by Shane Walsh. With two seconds remaining in the period, Troy Power tipped a power play goal to tie the game as the second period (a period that had five goals in total) ended. The third period ended with no goals, as the two teams went into overtime. The two teams repeatedly failed to score, with UMass shooting a record 91 times and Notre Dame shooting 78 times. With 8:18 left in the fifth overtime and at 1:24 a.m. ET, Shane Walsh scored the game-winning goal to end the longest Division I hockey game which had lasted 151 minutes, 42 seconds, besting the previous record of 150:22, set by Quinnipiac and Union in 2010. [10]

Steve Mastalerz finished the night with 75 saves for UMass while Cal Petersen of Notre Dame made 87 saves, setting a new NCAA record. It was UMass' first win at the Tournament since March 13, 2009 at Northeastern.

Championships

NCAA Tournament championships

TournamentScoreOpponentCityArena
2021 5–0 St. Cloud State Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PPG Paints Arena

Conference tournament championships

TournamentConferenceScoreOpponent
1972 ECAC 2 8–1 Buffalo
2021 Hockey East 1–0 Massachusetts–Lowell
2022 Hockey East 2–1 (OT) Connecticut

Awards and honors

NCAA

Individual awards

All-Americans

AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey All-Tournament Team

Hockey East

Individual awards

William Flynn Tournament Most Valuable Player

All-Hockey East

First Team

Second Team

Third Team

Rookie Team

All-Tournament Team

Statistical leaders

Source: [7]

Career points leaders

PlayerYearsGPGAPtsPIM
Pat Keenan 1970–19736610575180
Rob Bonneau 1993–19971317294166
Warren Norris 1993–19971327381154
Bobby Trivigno 2018–2022139537813191
James Marcou 2007–20101113496130
Stephen Werner 2002–20061435066116
Michael Pereira 2010–20141355354107
Tim Turner 1999–20031344760107
John Leonard 2017–20201045649105
Conor Sheary 2010–20141383866104

† - active

Career goaltending leaders

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 30 games played

PlayerYearsGPMinWLTGASOSV%GAA
Filip Lindberg 2018–2021502802291067411.9371.58
Matt Murray 2017–202212169837339426014.9162.23
Jonathan Quick 2005–2007543129232261253.9262.40
Paul Dainton 2007–201112370424561123272.9082.78
Gabe Winer 2002–200611767255052103175.8912.83

Statistics current through the start of the 2022–23 season.

Olympians

This is a list of Massachusetts alumni were a part of an Olympic team.

NamePositionMassachusetts TenureTeamYearFinish
John Lyons Center1918, 1921-1922 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1924 Silver medal icon.svg Silver
Justin McCarthy Right Wing1918–1921 Flag of the United States.svg USA 1924 Silver medal icon.svg Silver
Thomas Pöck Defenseman2001-2004 Flag of Austria.svg Austria 2002, 2014 12th, 10th
Jonathan Quick Goaltender2005–2007 Flag of the United States.svg USA 2010, 2014 Silver medal icon.svg Silver, 4th

Minutemen in the NHL

As of July 1, 2025 [11]

= NHL All-Star team = NHL All-Star [12] = NHL All-Star [12] and NHL All-Star team = Hall of Famers

References

  1. ↑ "University of Massachusetts Amherst Athletics Official Style Guide" (PDF). Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Massachusetts Minutemen". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Umass Hockey The Pond Club". umasshockey.com.
  4. ↑ "College hockey: Greg Carvel named UMass ice hockey coach". March 29, 2016.
  5. ↑ Haecherl, Zach Dwyer and Anna. "St. Cloud State falls 5-0 to UMass in NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship". St. Cloud Times.
  6. ↑ "2008-09 UMASS HOCKEY" (PDF). UMass Minutemen. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 "UMass Minutemen Men's Hockey 2023-24 Record Book" (PDF). UMass Minutemen. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  8. ↑ "UMass Athletics". umassathletics.com. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  9. ↑ "2024–25 Roster". UMass Minutemen. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  10. ↑ "UMass Hockey Claims NCAA Record 5OT 4–3 Victory Over Notre Dame – University of Massachusetts". University of Massachusetts Athletics.
  11. ↑ "Alumni report for UMass-Amherst". Hockey DB. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  12. 1 2 Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
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